Silo



J. R. MIMS.

SILO.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1919. v

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SILO.

Applicationfiled May 6, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES R. MIMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Luray, county of Page, State of Virg1n1a,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Silos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to silos, and more particularly to the door frame and closing door sections therefor, and has for its gen eral object to improve and simplify the construction of the silo door frame and door sections, and at the same time to, provide a construction wherein no metal will be brought into contact with the ensilage.

One important object of my invention is to provide a form of contact between the door sections and the door frame which shall be perfectly tight, and yet which will be free from any binding effect, so that even if the door sections should swell, due

to moisture, there will be no danger of their binding or sticking. 7

A further detailed object of myinvention is to provide what may be termed a ladder in connection with the door sections and frame, said ladder forming a part of the bracing structure.

Still another object of my invention 1s to provide an improved lock for the door sections.

These objects I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafter more particularly described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a transverse sectional view of a portion of a silo showing my improved door frame and door section construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the silo taken at the door frame portion.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4c is a detail perspective view of one of the door sections.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in the several views.

In the said drawing, the reference numeral 1 denotes a silo formed of wooden staves, and provided with an opening in one side from top to bottom, suitable vertical posts 2 being disposed at the edges of said opening into which the adjacent staves of the silo are rabbeted in the usual manner, as shown. In order properly to maintain the spaced relation of said posts with respect Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1920.

Serial No. 295,094.

to each other, it is necessary to provide cross braces 3 at intervals, the same being disposed preferably two feet apart and being curved at their outer edges to correspond to the exterior contour of the silo. In order to maintain said braces in their proper position vertically, I recess the posts 2, as shown in dotted lines at 4 in Fig. l to receive the inner edges of said braces. Said braces are grooved on their outer faces to receive the usual metal hoops 5 extending around the silo, and said braces are cut out centrally at 6 to provide hand holds therein,the hoops 5 affording the gripping portion, in a manner readily understood. The door sections 7 employed by me are of such size that two of the same will fill the space between each pair of braces 3, and each is formed of solid blocks of wood. An important feature of their construction is found in the configuration of their vertical edges where they contact with the posts 2, the same being recessed at 8 to fit similar recessed portions 9 in the inner edges of the posts, thus providing two parallel contacting surfaces therebetween, the length of said door sections between said contact surfaces being less than the distance between said posts at said points, thus leaving in? termediate spaces 10 whereby said door sections will be permitted comparatively free lateral movement with respect to, said posts. By this construction, the said door sections 7 when in position, even though the posts 2 may be slightly out of alinement readily will adapt themselves to seat tightly one upon another, due to this free lateral movement, and each will have a double contact with said posts. As seen in Fig. 3, the horizontal edges of said door sections 7 are shiplapped at 11 to provide a tight joint therebetween when in position.

lVhile it has been found in practice that my improved door sections so constructed do not require any fastening means to retain them in position, the outward pressure of the ensilage being sufficient, still, if desired, I contemplate employing locking means, comprising wedges 12 fixed to the door frames 2, against which the free ends of spring arms 13 mounted on the door sections may be brought into engagement, which may be done by bringing the door sections 7 to position against the frames slightly above their normal positions and then sliding them downward so that the spring arms 13 will engage and be locked by said wedges 12, in a manner readily understood. I prefer to form said spring arms 13 integral with plates let to be screwe'dto 5, will form a ladder extending vertically of the silo and providing suitable handholds as well as'rests for the feet@ While I have shown these spring arms 13 on each alternate door section only, it will be understood, that, if desired, they may be formed on each door section, though when the cross bars 15 are employed, they are to be used in connection with each alternate door section only. In other words, if the .locking means is employed with the upper door sections ofeach pair, the cross bars 15 will be dispensed with.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. In a silo, vertical door posts recessed on their inner faces, and door sections similarly recessed to fit said door posts to provide a plurality of substantially parallel contact surfaces therebetween, the length of said door sections between said parallel contact surfaces belng less than the distance between said posts at said points, whereby limited endwise, movement is permitted to said door sections between said door posts.

2. In a silo, vertical door posts,'door sections adapted to fit against said door posts,

wedge surfaces on said door posts, and fixed spring arms on said door sections adapted automatically to engage said wedge'surfaces when said door sections are positioned to retain said door sections against said door posts. r

' 3. In a silo, vertical door posts, door sections adapted tofit against said door posts, wedge surfaces on said door posts, fixed spring arms on said door sections adapted automatically to engage said wedge surfaces when said door sections are positioned to retain said door sections against said door posts, and cross bars extending between said spring arms and spaced from said door sections to constitute hand-holds and steps. 7 r e e 4. In a silo, vertical door posts, door sections adapted to fit against said door posts, wedge surfaces on said door posts, fixed spring arms on said door sections adapted automatically to engage said wedge surfaces when said'door sections are positioned to retain said door sections againstsaid door posts, cross bars extending between said spring arms and spaced from said door sections to constitute hand-holds and steps, and plates formed integral with said spring arms and extending vertically over substantially'the width of said door sections.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my hand this 5th day of Ma I919.

JANLE R; MIMS. 

